Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-02-19 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-02-19 Senate Journal Page 1665 SB 240 SENATE BILL NO. 240 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to medical assistance coverage for rehabilitative, mandatory, and optional services furnished or paid for by a school district on behalf of certain children." was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services Committee. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Education and Early Development Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Health Fiscal Note No. 3, zero, Department of Health 2024-02-19 Senate Journal Page 1666 Governor's transmittal letter dated February 16: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to elimination of the individualized education program requirement for certain services furnished to Medicaid-eligible children by school districts. This bill would align State law with revised guidance published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) on May 18, 2023, regarding Medicaid payments for rehabilitative, mandatory, and optional services furnished to Medicaid-eligible children by school districts. These services are often referred to as school-based services, or SBS. The revised CMS guidance allows for Medicaid to pay for SBS provided in schools to Medicaid-eligible children with or without an individualized education program (IEP). State law currently limits the Department of Health’s ability to pay school districts for school-based services to those provided to an “eligible child with a disability” who requires the services as part of the child’s IEP. This bill would allow payment to school districts for services provided to any Medicaid-eligible child by amending the language that limits the payments to a “child with a disability” and by deleting the IEP requirement. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor